My Story

​Before I was an army wife, or even a mother, I was Melissa. Strong and independent. I put myself through college, earning a B.A. in English, then a Master’s in Education. When my husband first entered the Army, pieces of me began to fall by the wayside until I wasn’t sure who I was anymore. Years of war, parenting by myself, and trying to remain c​lose with a husband who was rarely there, wore on me. It was a slow process to try to find my voice. But, one step toward my friend, Christina Piper--one pleading sentence of understanding--began the fire that ignited Her War, Her Voice. Now, I stand proudly with him. But not as a wife who must always be on display. I am, first and foremost, still Melissa. I have a voice. I have talent. And I have the ability to ensure I never lose these aspects of myself again. Multiple deployments and constant separations have nearly broken me and my relationship. Our marriage has been pushed to the brink of divorce. But, yet, we thrive. After many struggles, I have finally realized: We are in charge of our marriage and I am in charge of who I am. Not the military. And certainly not a deployment. I have two children, a daughter and a son. I am still strong, still independent. Only now, all that falls under two words: military wife. As the co-founder of Her War, Her Voice, it has become my mission and my passion to ensure no military spouse ever feels alone or without her voice again. To Contact Melissa, email: melissa@herwarhervoice.com